Costa Rica might look small on a map, but don’t be fooled, you can’t see everything in just one week. With some careful planning, however, you can still have a vacation of a lifetime that showcases what Costa Rica is all about: nature, adventure, and pura vida. Sample a taste of Costa Rica’s volcanoes and beaches with a one week itinerary that is ideal for travelers that want to see the diverse environments that Costa Rica offers. You will visit scenic volcanoes and rainforests in Arenal / La Fortuna for 4 nights as well as a trip at the Guanacaste Beaches for 3 nights for fun in the sun and relaxation surrounded by vegetation. Check out my ideas of what to do and where to stay including travel tips, recommendations and how to make the most of your short trip!

InJoy Tip: The best time to visit Costa Rica is from mid-December to April (the dry season). This peak tourist season boasts plenty of sunshine making it an ideal time for exploring rainforests and lounging on beaches. That said, the dry season is the most popular (and expensive) time to visit. Luckily the U.S. dollar goes a long way in Costa Rica no matter the season. You’ll have to book your room and tour reservations three months in advance to secure a spot. If you don’t mind getting a little wet, visit between May and November when prices are at their lowest. During June and July, rain showers pause briefly, and Costa Rica’s forests burst with green foliage.

Day 1: Welcome to Liberia, Costa Rica

From Liberia International Airport, rent a car, take a shuttle/tour van, or bus it to the town of La Fortuna. Along the way you will traverse rolling green mountains of coffee plantations, cattle fields, and the occasional dense forest. The narrow road winds through small cities and quaint towns. Getting closer to La Fortuna of San Carlos, you’ll start to see the volcano looming in the distance. Once you arrive, settle into your accommodations and take in the view. La Fortuna has a very walkable downtown complete with a charming central park. Explore the streets and shops before you grab dinner at one of the many restaurants.

InJoy Hotel Tip: Arenal Manoa Hotel is a beautiful place to rest, relax, and enjoy the marvelous view of Arenal Volcano. Surrounded by gardens, pastures and animals, their rooms have been designed so that each one offers you a panoramic view of the volcano. The rooms at Arenal Manoa combine a modern and rustic architecture, with plenty space for your comfort, where you can enjoy the view of the Arenal Volcano from your own bed. There is also a balcony where you can delight with the panoramic view and the gardens that are around the rooms, while you rest in a rocking chair. Arenal Manoa is a destiny created for you to enjoy the combination of a high-quality service and an exuberant natural beauty. Check rates and availability here.

Day 2: Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge Nature Cruise

Set near the Nicaraguan border in a marshy, jungle-like area, the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge is considered to be one of the richest in biological diversity in Costa Rica and also is one of the most difficult places to visit. In order to visit Caño Negro, it’s necessary to join a day tour since it is set in a remote area that is often submerged in water from flooded rivers. We recommend [INSERT TOUR GUIDE RECOMMENDATION HERE].

Begin your journey to the northern village of Los Chiles for 90 minutes where you will drive through the San Carlos plains and beautiful scenery with a variety of agriculture products being cultivated such as sugar cane, cassava (yucca), pineapples, bananas, papayas, orange trees, legumes, and other fruits and vegetables. Board your expedition boat and enjoy a Nature Cruise in search of exotic fauna for four hours. The Canals of the River “Rio Frio” and its breathtaking surroundings are home to thousands of animals, and with some luck you will see howler monkeys, spider monkeys, white-faced monkeys, the three-toed sloth, reptiles like caimans, the Jesus Christ lizard, turtles, and an almost endless selection or birds. An experienced, bilingual guide leads the tour, teaching tour takers about the ecological history of the area. Once the tour is over, you head back to your hotel.

InJoy Tip: Bring copy of your passport as the tour begins near a checkpoint with the Nicaraguan border.

Arenal Hanging Bridges extends 3.1 kilometers long, crossing fourteen bridges, 8 stationary and 6 in suspension, going from 8 to 98 meters length and getting till 60 meters height, where you can appreciate the admirable flora and fauna characteristic of the place. The view of Arenal Volcano is really nice from the bridges as well. The impressive vistas of the river canyons originating in the reserve provide a very entertaining way to appreciate the biological riches found in the reserve for persons of all ages and physical conditions. There are many different species of birds on the surroundings, such as the White Hawk, Great Curassow; reptiles like the Boa, Basiliscos Lizards, variety of species of monkeys and a great diversity of insects. The trails are designed with modern technology, making possible for everybody to enjoy them. They are also very secure, comfortable and do not alter the environment.

Go on a Arenal Volcano Guided Hike tour that begins with a 15-minute drive to the far west side of Arenal Volcano. At your arrival, your guide will explain the volcanoes formation, eruptions, and contributions to the Fortuna town development. Afterwards, continue to the primary tropical rain forest, where you will spend about 1 ½ hours exploring the trails facing the majestic Arenal Volcano. Also, your bilingual naturalist guide will point-out indigenous rain forest plants and tell you about their medicinal properties. Finally, continue to the observation point, which offers the closest and most direct vista of the volcano. If the cloud cover is high enough, expect to listen to a variety of frogs, toucans, and insects and watch thousands of fireflies.

InJoy Tip: You do not need to rent a car for this itinerary since you will need to book tours that include transportation since public transportation is not efficient for these activities.

Day 4: Sky Tram, Sky Trek Zip Line & Sky Walk Hanging Bridges

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your driver for a transfer to the attraction to begin your adventure. Zipping along nearly two miles (three kilometers) of cables, you will see the rain forest as well as get a panoramic view of the volcano and lake from a whole new perspective. There are currently ten zip line cables and they range in height from 30 meters to 200 meters and in length from 200 meters to 750 meters. This private reserve is near El Castillo, on the north-facing slopes of the Cordillera de Tilaran, and it offers phenomenal volcano views, to be enjoyed from an aerial Sky Tram that rises 236 meters in a 1250 meters ride, taking visitors up to a Mirador (lookout point) where starts the Sky Trek zip line circuit. Before leaving the main building to start your tour, you will be fitted with all of the necessary safety equipment (harness, helmet, gloves), which the guides will take care to properly adjust. Afterwards the guides will deliver a safety speech detailing proper form and the innovative braking system. Continue with your adventure with a close-up look at the rainforest as you enjoy a nature walk on the Sky Walk/ Hanging Bridges.

Late afternoon / early evening: Tabacon Hot Springs & Thermal Pools

Visit the world-famous Tabacon Hot Springs and Spa, the only hot springs in the Arenal Volcano area that is completely natural. Water flows by gravity throughout the property, forming in-river pools, waterfalls, and cascades and filling in the pools throughout the resort. As the underground Tabacon River flows through the magma in the volcano, the springs absorb minerals. Hot springs provide many benefits stemming from various chemical, physical and biological effects, the most notable is relaxing tense and tired muscles.

Day 5 & 6: Rainforest of the Highlands to the Beach in the Guanacaste Coast

At the appropriate time, meet your driver for a scenic ride to Conchal Beach for a 3-night stay at the beachfront Westin All Inclusive Resort. Enjoy the beach and the resort’s facilities. Considered to be one of the most exotic beaches on the Costa Rican Gold Coast, Playa Conchal is situated in the north of Guanacaste province on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. With some of the clearest waters on the Gold Coast, snorkeling is a must-indulge activity for anyone who knows how to swim. With a fantastic array of marine life on display, you can swim with the many tropical fish that dwell here, and even catch a glimpse of stingrays that swim in the area. For the more adventurous, deep seas fishing, scuba diving, and other water sports are offered as well.

InJoy Hotel Tip: The Westin Resort Playa Conchal Resort is located on Costa Rica’s magnificent North-Pacific Riviera and is set on 2,400 acres and offers everything you need to revitalize and thrive. Nestled between lush forests and the sparkling azure waters of the Pacific Ocean, the hotel offers a lagoon-style pool, gardens, tennis courts, 18-hole Reserva Conchal Golf Course and thatch-roofed bungalows. Work up a sweat at the Westin Fitness Studio or pamper yourself with a decadent treatment at The Westin Spa to start or finish your day. Check rates and availability here.

InJoy Tip: This area is extremely hot and dry and follows the typical tropical season pattern. You must bring tons of at least SPF 30 sunscreen, mosquito repellent, sunglasses, hat and after sun gel. Protect yourself from the sun. An insulated water bottle will be super useful so you can always have cold water.

Day 7: Back to Reality

Hopefully your trip was a success and you can reminisce about the wonderful sights, generous people, and extraordinary environment you experienced while you travel back home.

One of the main advantages of booking your trip through InJoy Travel and destination specialists at EcoAmerica Tours is that you do not have to spend countless hours looking online for hotels, point-to-point transportation, attractions, entrance fees, excursions, and much more. The second is that when traveling with us, you can be sure that we will be with you throughout your trip to assist and make sure that each one of the services included in your reservation are delivered. When traveling with us, you will be talking to a real person who will de-mystify the travel components and will provide you with information that makes you knowledgeable and informed. When traveling with us you will get real value, just like countless travelers before you.

Arguably Europe’s most enticing country, Italy charms visitors with irresistible food, awesome architecture, diverse scenery and unparalleled art. In fact, it’s so packed with possibilities it can almost overwhelm.

If you’ve not visited before you are probably wondering what to see? Where to go? How to travel? Here’s everything you need to know on how to plan your first trip to Italy whether you explore on your own, with scheduled tours and transfers, or with a group so that you have a guide with you at all times, or even on a ship where you can see different areas of Italy and not have to unpack and pack because the ship is your hotel!

Short on time? Start with the big three: Rome, Florence and Venice. A week is (just) enough time to enjoy the country’s most popular cities with a 3-night stay in Rome, a 3-night stay in Florence and two nights in Venice.

The glories of Rome

A day: Rome wasn’t built in one, and you certainly can’t see it in one. Instead allow at least two, preferably three. That’s time to take in the spectacular Colosseum, the 2000-year-old Pantheon, the palace ruins of the Palatino, sacred St Peter’s and the art-filled Vatican Museums. Trot up the Spanish Steps, toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain, shop in narrow lanes and indulge in prime people watching.

Take a Small Group Walking Tour with Serena of the Colosseum and Ancient Rome. Follow in the footsteps of mighty emperors and brave gladiators on a 3-hour walking tour that illuminates daily life, sport and politics in ancient Rome. Explore highlights of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, including the Roman Senate, Arch of Constantine and mystical House of the Vestal Virgins. Conclude inside the legendary Colosseum for a glimpse into the ancient empire’s taste for bloody entertainment.

InJoy Hotel Tip: Hotel Ponte Sisto is a vibrant and stylish Rome luxury downtown hotel, which enjoys a fabulous city centre location only a few minutes walking from all of Rome’s major attractions. Housed in a former Monastery this beautifully restored hotel offers the perfect ambience. Enjoy a welcome drink or aperitif on the Rooftop Terrace whilst gazing at the rooftops and enjoying the wonderful Roman sunsets.

InJoy Restaurant Tip: Ristorante Vladimiro proposes specialties of Roman cuisine, authentic and rich in flavor. In the center of the Eternal City, the Vladimiro offers dishes in a historic and elegant place where you can taste the essence of Romanesque even at the table in the immediate vicinity of monuments, places of worship, shopping streets, and many attractions. Also check out Gelateria Frigidarium, a gelato store that is a few steps from the characteristic Piazza Navona in the heart of old Rome. They have flavors such as Bacio, Nutella, Stracciatella, Dulce de Leche, Cannella, Melone, Limone and more. Here, ice cream is not just a food, but an artistic expression: the balanced combination of quality materials contribute to creating a special tasting experience for everyone.

Stunning Florence

Three days in Florence allows you to admire the incomparable art in the Uffizi gallery, delighting in the frescoes in the Duomo and pondering the anatomy of Michelangelo’s David. It also allows for shopping on the ultra-chic Via de’ Tornabuoni and an aperitivo (pre-dinner drink) or two in locals’ favorite Piazza della Signoria.

Take a 5-hour Italian Food Market and Cooking Experience in the heart of Florence. The classes are small and intimidate and offer a view into typical Tuscan cuisine. You will shop at the central market for your lunch where you will meet the butchers, bakers, and farmers selling vegetables from their gardens. You will also learn how to distinguish the highest quality ingredients and as an added bonus, how to bargain! You will taste local foods and wines on your way around with this true hands-on experience where you will prepare your own meal, made up of Bruschetta, fresh hand-made pasta, and a main course, accompanied by a selection of Chianti wines.

Enjoy learning about the most famous sculpture in the world, the David with the original and best Artviva guides who are notable for outstanding expertise in making history and art come alive. This is the only small group tour that focuses solely on Michelangelo and the David. Hear all about the miserly genius that was one of the greatest masters of the Renaissance. Exclusive small-group only tour.

InJoy Hotel tip: Bernini Palace Hotel lies in the heart of Florence, just a few steps from Galleria degli Uffizi and Piazza della Signoria as well as from shopping streets like Via Tornabuoni. Among long corridors scattered with antiques you’ll find refined spaces, smart ambiences recalling the charm of the ancient glories of this palace, which dates back to the 25th century. The ambience is really splendid: you’ll be surrounded by the charm of a private salon, which boasts traditional Tuscan furnishings with a balanced touch of modern design, in order to please the tastes of international and local clientele.

InJoy Restaurant tip: Osteria De’ Pazzi offers typical Tuscan home cooking, the atmosphere is informal and is developed in a single large room, high-ceilinged, with wooden tables and chairs in rustic style. The tavern is located in a beautiful area of ​​the historic center of Florence, right next to the Teatro Verdi near Piazza Santa Croce.

Enchanting Venice

To enjoy unique, utterly exquisite Venice, allow a couple of days. Glide down the Grand Canal, by gondola or vaporetto (water bus), tour the grand Palazzo Ducale, gape at the treasure-filled Basilica di San Marco and run out of camera space snapping the extraordinary array of Venetian architecture. There’ll also be time to join the locals shopping at Rialto Market, tuck into cicheti (Venetian tapas) and get a little lost amid the 400 bridges and 150 canals.

The Doges Palace Secret Itinerary Tour features Venice history from vast paintings by Tintoretto and Veronese to the wooden slot where accusations of treason where slipped to the fearsome Secret Police. The tour covers the rooms and chambers where the delicate work of some of the most important bodies in the Venetian administration was carried out. These spaces offer an interesting insight into and acknowledgement of the civil and political history of the Venice Republic, its public organizations, and its institutional bodies deputed to government and justice. Follow your guide to the attic prison where Venice famous writer and lover Casanova was kept for month before he miraculously managed a successful escape. Visit the spectacular Bridge of Sighs, so named for the prisoners that walked its length on their way to cells across the Canal. Across the Bridge of Sighs you will see the New Prisons and a visit to the Doges Palace is a roller coaster experience, taking you from the artistic highs of Renaissance Venice to its grim bottom.

In the evening, enjoy the orchestras at Piazza San Marco, or Saint Mark’s Square—the largest and most important square in Venice. Just being in St. Mark’s Square after dark is a thrill, as dueling café orchestras entertain. Every night, enthusiastic musicians play the same songs, creating the same irresistible magic. Hang out for free behind the tables (which allows you to easily move on to the next orchestra when the musicians take a break) or spring for a seat and enjoy a fun and gorgeously set concert. Dancing on the square is free (and encouraged).

InJoy Hotel tip: The Hotel Londra Palace in Venice combines the charm and luxury of a historic hotel with comfort and the latest services overlooking the San Marco Basin. Staying at the Londra Palace means fully experiencing the privilege of being in Venice. The hotel is located on the Riva degli Schiavoni a few steps from Piazza San Marco, the Bridge of Sighs and all the other places which are symbolic of the Venetian Republic, but it is also close to its most hidden and authentic corners.

Travel trends are finally catching up to what astute travelers have always known; there is more than one way to cruise. This means you don’t have to forgo luxury cruising if have an aversion to spending days on the ocean or you are just not into traveling with a crowd. The landscape of river cruises provides a backdrop for nostalgia and personifies the ephemerality, grace and style of any megaship. The popularity of river cruising today is evidenced by the fact that, in recent years, it is not uncommon for these cruises to be sold out months or as much as a year in advance. Check out our top 5 reasons to take a river cruise!

1. Smooth Sailing.
Probably the most important benefit of taking a river cruise is peace of mind. Since there are no waves and swells to contend with, you can stop worrying about motion sickness, queasy stomachs. In fact, the depth of most rivers are typically only a few feet. And, with the shoreline always visible, you naturally feel more secure which is always a prerequisite for total relaxation.

2. Passenger List.
Forget the hustle and bustle of crowds and lines at the buffet tables or when getting on or off the ship. River cruise ships are designed to accommodate fewer guests which translate into a more intimate and memorable travel experience. It’s easier to get to know your fellow passengers as well as members of the cruise team that attend to your needs. This enhances the ability to immerse yourself into the history and culture of the destination you are visiting.

3. Destinations.
The emphasis on exploration and enjoyment of the places being visited intensifies the overall pleasure of cruising. Apart from the fact that you wake up to an exciting new destination every day, you have the option to bask in stunning scenery complete with castles, vineyards and historic villages and towns from the privacy of your room or balcony. American river cruise itineraries feature stunning panoramic views on the Mississippi River, Southeast U.S., Northeast U.S., Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest. European river cruise adventures feature a diverse and sophisticated mix of picturesque locations such as Amsterdam, Budapest and Paris plus cruises on rivers such as the Danube and the Rhine to name a few.

4. Entertainment.
There are a range of games and activities on every river cruise. Planned programs provide enriching experiences tied to location such as authentic performances from local entertainers, wine tasting, archaeological tours and interesting displays from destination artisans. Plus, on days or nights that you prefer staying in, your stateroom television offers a variety of TV programs including movies, news and documentaries among others.

5. Pace.
It is not atypical on a river cruise to have the entire day spent enjoying the port of call whether you choose to stroll, bike around town, browse store fronts, sample the local fare or join an organized tour. Proximity of ports to towns, restaurants, cafes, local historic sites and museums provides ample time for exploration. It reminds us that a river cruise is about leisure rather than keeping dinner schedules or hopping from one activity or floor show to the next. On a river cruise, you can enjoy non-stop scenery, whether an urban landscape or the countryside. There will also be talks by guest speakers, and perhaps wine- or beer-tasting sessions or cooking demonstrations.

Travel agents are the backbone of the travel industry. They use their expertise such as time-saving resources to help their clients have the best travel experience possible at the best prices, often making travel dreams come true.

Travel agents offer guidance.
Travel agents travel, it’s essentially a requirement to succeed in the profession. They’ve had those feelings of awe, immersion, relaxation, transformation, and the many other experiences travel can bring. Because they understand and have lived these once-in-a-lifetime moments, they will do everything they can to ensure you experience them yourself.

Travel agents give you more for your money.Travel agents have access to deals and promotions travelers do not. From cruise lines to hotels to tours, suppliers know their top travel agents and slip them upgrades, bonuses, special offers and early entrance tickets that make their customers feel special, and save them an average $452 per trip.

Travelers are frustrated with online travel agencies.Consumers are wising up. Online travel agencies (OTAs) often advertise one price, and then tack on fees and other hidden charges, or restrictions and blackout dates in the fine print. And there is just too much information out there to sort through. And doing the research is overwhelming. Among travelers who regularly seek information from an OTA when planning a vacation, only 13% typically book their reservations on OTA sites, according to MMGY Global’s 2015 Portrait of American Travelers, compared to 36% in 2014.

Better customer service.While OTAs have call centers to assist customers with basic site navigation, they offer little further support. Travel agents help during the booking process and stay with you to make sure all goes right. And when there is a problem, they are there to intervene—whether it’s a supplier who doesn’t deliver or an emergency that makes them cancel the whole trip.

Deep knowledge of the destination, and personal understanding of your interests. Agents often specialize in niche markets, so they can offer even more insight into a specific destination or segment of travel, like destination weddings. And they spend a little time getting to know the customer, so they can make recommendations tailored to what you want to do. You are so much more than a sale to them—and they provide the human connection that makes every transaction more pleasant and meaningful. Plus, by supporting local businesses, you support your community.

Are you planning a vacation, honeymoon, river cruise or a retreat? Contact me today for more information!